WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s first call with Putin after the U.S. pause in munitions shipments to Ukraine:
“President Trump promised an end to the war in Ukraine on Day One of his Administration, and nearly six months later it is clear that he continues to be played by President Putin, as evidenced by today's call. For the sake of innocent Ukrainians dying on a daily basis, it’s time for President Trump to get tough on Russia and finally bring Putin to the negotiating table.
“That starts by reversing Secretary Hegseth and Under Secretary Colby’s unilateral and short-sighted decision to withhold from Ukraine the air defense systems it needs to protect its cities from the endless barrages of Russian missiles and drone attacks. The Senate, on a bipartisan basis, was shocked to learn that the Pentagon stopped munitions already on their way to defend innocent Ukrainians from Russia’s escalation. I am working with Republican colleagues to get these much-needed weapons to Ukraine as soon as possible. President Trump must also end the non-enforcement of existing sanctions and signal support for the veto-proof Graham-Blumenthal sanctions package, which currently has 82 co-sponsors in the Senate. President Trump cannot be seen as weak and naïve by Putin—this will only invite more aggression from Russia and embolden other adversaries like China. When is President Trump going to finally wake up to reality?”
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